• APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Samsung NX30 advantages over Panasonic GH5 II

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.29 vs 3.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    41 mm vs 87 mm
    Thinner

Panasonic GH5 II advantages over Samsung NX30

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    5K vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • More dots on screen
    1840k vs 1037k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.76x vs 0.64x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.0 fps vs 8.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    108 vs 21 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Both provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Samsung NX30
Kit with 18-55mm Lens

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Buy the Panasonic GH5 II
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 12-35mm F2.8 Lens
  • Kit with 12-60mm Lens
All GH5 II Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Very good image quality at low to moderately high ISOs; Blazing fast single-shot autofocus; Fast 9fps burst with RAW and JPEG files; Built-in Wi-Fi with NFC; Good build quality; Tilting EVF; Articulating touchscreen monitor; Bundled with Adobe Lightroom 5 software; Excellent value.

  • Dynamic range not as good as the best APS-C models; Slow buffer clearing even with fast UHS-I cards; Buffer depth with RAW files is underwhelming; Native lens selection is still fairly limited.

  • Read our Samsung NX30 Review

The Competition

Compared to Samsung NX20

Samsung NX30
Samsung NX20
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $400
  • APS-C
  • Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Samsung NX30 vs Samsung NX20

Panasonic GH5 II
Samsung NX20
  • $1298
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $400
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH5 II vs Samsung NX20

Compared to Fujifilm X-E1

Samsung NX30
Fujifilm X-E1
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1299
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Doesn't require an AA filter

Compare Samsung NX30 vs Fujifilm X-E1

Panasonic GH5 II
Fujifilm X-E1
  • $1298
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $1299
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH5 II vs Fujifilm X-E1

Compared to Fujifilm X-E2

Samsung NX30
Fujifilm X-E2
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1059
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Doesn't require an AA filter

Compare Samsung NX30 vs Fujifilm X-E2

Panasonic GH5 II
Fujifilm X-E2
  • $1298
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $1059
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH5 II vs Fujifilm X-E2

Compared to Fujifilm X-T1

Samsung NX30
Fujifilm X-T1
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $1299
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • More viewfinder magnification

Compare Samsung NX30 vs Fujifilm X-T1

Panasonic GH5 II
Fujifilm X-T1
  • $1298
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $1299
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH5 II vs Fujifilm X-T1

Compared to Fujifilm X-T10

Samsung NX30
Fujifilm X-T10
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Doesn't require an AA filter

Compare Samsung NX30 vs Fujifilm X-T10

Panasonic GH5 II
Fujifilm X-T10
  • $1298
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive

Compare Panasonic GH5 II vs Fujifilm X-T10

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